H1B Visa 2019 – Lottery Predictions ? Fee, Quota, News & FAQs

Many of you who were not lucky in 2017 with the work visa lottery in US for FY H1B Visa 2018 may be applying this year to work in US. Below are some of the common FAQs that are tied to H1B work visa for fiscal year 2019. This article will be updated with latest info as we get more info.

H1B 2019 Season Start Date ?

H1B Visa 2019 Quota ?

Will there be lottery for H1B 2019 ?

H1B 2019 Lottery date ?

How to find H1B 2019 Sponsors ?

H1B visa 2019 fees ?

H1B 2019 Latest News

Beginner - First Time H1B ?

If you are going through the H1B process first time, it is good to learn some basics like cap, quota, LCA, etc. Click adjacent button

What is the H1B Visa 2019 season start date ?Update : USCIS will start accepting H1B Petitions starting from April 2nd, 2018 as per their official update on their website. In general, USCIS starts accepting applications for the next fiscal year exactly 6 months before the start of the next fiscal year. USCIS fiscal year for 2019 starts from 1st October 2018, which means they should accept applications for FY 2019 from April 1st, 2018. As April 1st is a Sunday, USCIS should accept applications for H1B 2019 season from April 2nd, 2019.

What is H1B visa 2019 Quota for Regular and Masters filings ?
As of the date of writing of article, the H1B quota is as below. This is also called the H1B Visa Cap. You can read more at What is H1B Cap ? Regular vs Masters quota ?

H1B Regular Quota : 65,000 visas

H1B Master’s Quota : 20,000 visas. ( only US Masters eligible)

Also, of the overall 85,000 visa cap, every year 6,800 visas are set aside for the citizens of Singapore and Chile as part of the Free Trade Agreement with them. There were few bills part of Comprehensive Immigration Reform that are not active in Senate that were proposed from Obama administration days to change the cap count to 110,000 and Masters to 25,000, including potential to make H1B cap extend up to 180,000. But nothing has moved and all are dormant. Nothing new has been proposed by the new Trump Administration regarding changing cap count. To get a glimpse of historical cap count changes, you may check H1B visa cap count history from 1990 to 2017

When is H1B Visa 2019 Lottery Date ? Update : USCIS Conducted Lottery for FY 2019 on April 11, 2018.
There are two things, one is when the H1B petitions are accepted for the lottery and second is when the actual lottery is done. H1B visa petitions for next fiscal year would be accepted by USCIS from April 2nd, 2018 for 5 working days until April 6th, 2018 to be part of the lottery. Now, the actual lottery date depends on various factors depending the volume of petitions and USCIS load. It can be anywhere in second week of April. For FY 2018, the actual H1B Lottery was done on April 11th, 2017 . We can expect anywhere around the same date like April 11th or April 13th.

How to find H1B visa 2019 Sponsors ? It can be very hard to find a good employer and convince them to sponsor H1B to work in US with major unknown like H1B Visa lottery. Anyways, you would be in one of the three scenarios, if you are seeking a H1B Sponsor.

F1 Student in US : You can find an internship or co-op at an employer who can sponsor H1B visa and ask them to sponsor your H1B. You can continue to work on OPT once you graduate as well. You find the list of H1B Sponsoring companies using the tool

International Professionals : If you are outside of US, it can be tricky with all the latest rules by Trump administration. Your best bet is to find an multi-national company ( MNC) and work through them to sponsor H1B visa. You may have hurdles inside the company with all the internal process, many waiting, etc. But, it is up to you to negotiate and ask them to take a chance. Many try the IT body shop route, where they ask them to file H1B. Rules have changed in the last few years and it is very risky move and can jeopardize your US hopes. Read comments on this H1B Companies Reviews article to get an idea and beware of such consulting companies to avoid fraud.

Important Note : We, as RedBu2US, DO NOT Provide any H1B sponsorship or guide anyone using professional services or fee. If anyone approaches you by saying our name, it is pure FRAUD…beware !

What is H1B 2019 Filing Fee ?
H1B visa petition filing involves USCIS fee towards certain things and attorney fees, which varies by company size, and attorney involved for the case. As of FY 2018 season, it can range anywhere from $1,600 USD to $7,400 USD + Attorney Fee. In year 2016, for FY 2018, the H1B base filing fees, increased from $325 to $460. Below table is a high level summary from FY 2018 quota as of writing, it maybe subject to change as we approach towards the filing date. If any changes, we will update this accordingly. Also, you can Read Summary of H1B Filing Fee – Who pays for What ? .

H1B Fee – Paid Towards

Amount in USD

Base filing fee

$460

AICWA Fee

$750 or $1,500

Fraud prevent & detection fee

$500

Fee based on Public Law 114-113 ( if applicable)

$4000

Premium processing fee (Optional)

$1,225

Immigration Attorney Fee

Varies from $500 to $3000

H1B 2019 Case Tracker :
Did you work with attorney and sent all documents to apply for FY 2019 ? It is quite hard for applicants to know the general status of everyone to understand their situation. We have put together a tracker along with good graphs for analysis. It is completely anonymous as we do not capture your case number or any personal information. It is community contributed data, the more you add, the better for everyone, including You !

July 30th, 2018 ( Official News ) : USCIS announced that they have returned all the H1B 2019 petitions that were not selected in lottery. They gave guidance that, if you have filed for FY 2019 and has not received a receipt notice or rejected package by August 13th, 2018, they can contact USCIS. More info at USCIS News Alert

Feb 22, 2018 ( Official News ): USCIS released a new memo with additional requirements for H1B petitions filed for third party worksite locations. These new rules are very extensive asking for work orders, contracts, client letter itinerary, etc. and will have huge impact on H1B 2019 quota filings. Read completed details with impact info at New Policy Memo Third Party worksite H1B Petitions – Requirements, Impact.

December 2017 : There are many speculations floating around based on the proposals and bills in senate and house by Trump administration. We just have to wait and see what happens. We will track all the news and update here for everyone’s update.

You can bookmark this page and check this page for updates on H1B FY 2019 season.
Do you have any questions on next H1B 2019 season ?

I don’t think people with EAD expiring after 09/30/2018 will receive an update on sevp. Currently, people with EAD expiring before 09/30 have started receiving cap gap extensions (if their case is picked up in lottery). You might have to wait a little longer to see updates.

One can apply independently. One merely needs to pay an immigration attorney the filing fees.

A petitioner gets assigned points based on education and years of professional experience. Everybody whose points exceed a threshold are given an ITA (Invitation To Apply) once every three months. There is NO LOTTERY involved.

That website above is to check if one can accrue enough points for an ITA

Deep down everyone who read that comment knows that it wasn’t a mistake but he/she is already feeling down with people sharing their good news about status updates and stuff. Lets not make it worse for him/her.

Got copy of i797 receipt today from Attorney. The receipt date is Apr 12. But nothing is updated yet in my Sevp portal. My OPT end date is 05/2019. This is my second attempt. I think for others who are waiting , there is still some chance. Let us hope for the best.

Below is my status in USCIS. On April 12, 2018, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number XXX, and sent you the receipt notice that describes how we will process your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you do not receive your receipt notice by May 12, 2018, please call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

My package was delivered on April, 6, 2018 and received at USCIS office sharp @ 10:50 AM. Do you think that my application would have made to final cut in the lottery? If yes or no, how can we confirm that? I am in constant touch with my employer and legal, so I can always follow up if I know what exactly am i supposed to check.

I called my DSO to check my SEVIS status. She said they are not supposed to check and tell that and I gotta ask my employer. She just said ‘Your SEVIS is Active but for any other info you have to check with your employer.’ Does that mean anything?

Most DSOs and attorneys don’t like responding to these requests. But I think it says “active” for most people so perhaps there is no update yet. That doesn’t mean anything. There is plenty of time for the manual entry to process. When USCIS announces that the entry is complete you can check in and see if there were any changes–at that point you will have a better idea if you got the visa or not.

The new rule regarding in-house work for STEM OPT is great.. i just wish that the rule change/ change in interpretation had come few days earlier. The 96K AD applicants would have been down to 50% IMHO.

People said the same after the memo for multiple filings came in, still we are seeing so many people filing multiple applications, going for Day 1CPT programs and what not. Unless they are made an example of and permanently blacklisted from even living in the country, nothing is going to change.

the result of multiple petitions will be seen in next year’s lottery depending on number of rejections this year. however, people working for big companies, and applying with IT consultants on the side by paying them will still not be caught as those companies wont be related. But Stem OPT rule should come down as a hammer for these people working with small consultancies.

True. However i dont have any hard feelings for them. these people are usually genuine candidates from good colleges and in good jobs. in my opinion they deserve the lottery as much as i do.. My concern is only with people who fake their resume or pay the consultants to file h1b or file multiple petitions.. those who are not good enough in anything except scamming the system and robbing others’ opportunities.

“Whether such a change in interpretation can be accomplished through a simple website update with no advance notice remains to be seen. In the meantime, I expect those with H-1B petitions selected in the lottery this year to be questioned regarding their STEM OPT experience. It is unclear how schools will react for students who have already been approved for STEM OPT based on off-site work.”

How long should we wait for our checks to be encashed? I fall under the AD category and my OPT STEM expires 2019 so I cant see an update on SEVP. My attorney told me checks have not been encashed yet, is it over or is there still time?Anyone has a timeline on how long it might take?

Life cannot be this unfair man. Waiting for the past 5 years to get that email from ,lawyer or my employer that your check in cashed or we have received the notice along with a receipt number. Not really sure if i can take this anymore. these two month (april and may) have been a night mare for the past 5 years with sleeplessness, tiredness, not able to focus or concentrate. Damn this has to be my year. Been 7 years since i went back home 🙁

Edward – F1 visa expired few years ago and i am not sure if it will be a wise decision to go back and renew it. I am maintaining my status through I-20. I have a job ( regular job not with any consultancy or scam company or third party stuff) so i am kinda scared to throw all of this away.

Just to make it clear. I came here for Bachelors and during bachelors (junior and senior year) few companies were interested in me even though i was not working for them for those two years. So they aplied for me those two years and then OPT (1 year) and then Stem 2 years. Right now on the last year of stem extension.

I can sympathize, man. In a similar boat as yours. Just remember that the US is not the end. I know people who transferred to other international offices and got their visas later. And I am actually beginning to warm up to the idea more and more; as it gives me a chance to explore new avenues.

No.. but its like getting a ticket away from uncertainty.. you wouldn’t understand if you’re not in the same boat.. there are people whose life hangs in balance due to frauds scamming the lottery system with multiple petitions and what not..

My case falls under AD and this is my last attempt. My OPT expires in Feb 2019. No updates on SEVP yet. No update from an attorney. Till when can I be hopeful. Also, what are my options going forward? If my H1b is not picked I am not sure what my alternatives are. Appreciate any suggestions.

I’m in the same situation as you. If you look at the current situation, they are even scrutinizing Day 1 CPT programs. My best bet would be to wait until mid May for an H1B result. In the meantime, book for an IELTS date, give the exam and apply for a Canadian PR. Since you have time till Feb 19, you have plenty of time. Express entry for PR takes about 6 months or so. While the application is in progress, start looking for jobs in Canada. If USA is where you want to settle down, you can always get a Canadian citizenship after about 3 years after getting a PR, obtain a TN visa and come back to the US.

Yes, I’m not asking him to lose hope. Keep your hopes up till mid May at least. And, I’m not saying any of this easy. Nothing good ever comes easy. You have to put in a lot of work, save enough till OPT expires, so that even if you don’t get a job in Canada immediately, you can sustain yourself for a while. Looking for jobs 6 months in advance is better than looking for jobs after moving there. Besides, the other options are very uncertain at the moment.

That is a ray of hope for you. Please take it in a positive not and cheer up. I am 90% sure your case was picked in the lottery. My OPT STEM ends in Dec 2018 and so I will most likely not see an update in my SEVP portal. Sucks for me…

Give another week atleast or unless they say data entry is complete. Keep checking SEVP and followup with DSO on SEVIS and attorneys on check encashment. You just need one of these 3 to click and good news will flow automatically.

I have contacted them. My end date also got updated until 9/30/2018. I have asked them regarding the same. They said that whether checks got encashed for my petition and looks like it is not yet. And they are also not quite sure about this since its new system.

I called my DSO and they confirmed that they do not get any information regarding case status or receipt number. It could be that they only have the receipt for the people who got picked in the lottery.

Last year there were comments from folks from TCS, CTS, Infy, Wipro inquiring about result details.. there are no where here now and only people talking about cap-gap and SEVP.. This clearly indicates Indian companies reduced the filings but these Consultancies are abusing the system.

Hi guys, quick question if somebody can help to clarify. My OPT expires on 5/24/18, in order to work till the rejection notice is received, usually end of June, do I need to apply for a temporary I20 from school? Good lucks to everybody!

You can get an updated I20 valid until June 1. Again you can extend this upon being selected in Lottery until Sep 30.

https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-workers/h-1b-specialty-occupations-and-fashion-models/extension-post-completion-optional-practical-training-opt-and-f-1-status-eligible-students-under-h-1b-cap-gap-regulations “”” If a student chooses to obtain an updated Form I-20, the student should go to his or her Designated School Official (DSO) with evidence of a timely-filed H-1B petition (indicating a request for change of status rather than for consular processing), such as a copy of the petition and a FedEx, UPS, or USPS Express/certified mail receipt. The student’s DSO will issue an updated Form I-20, showing an extension until June 1. “””

I called SEVIS today and enquired about the update under Employment tab in SEVP portal. They saud that the update would be made by the SCHOOL DSO only and not by USCIS. It shows an update by SEVIS because when DSO makes a change, it is an update from SEVIS and not from the School. But updating the information is entirely in the hands of the school DSO. So for people who did their Masters in a reputed school which has a DSO which will not let its students know their SEVIS update, you would not be knwing the status of your H1b petition until your attorney informs you. So chill guys.

Thanks for the update about your conversation. I tried calling them but herd there initial message and hung up because they probably are tired of people calling in to see what the SEVP portal change means. So far I was convinced that the end date for people with expiring authorization is extended because of getting picked up in the lottery for H1B. But now I am so confused that DSO can extend your date which will show up as SEVIS in the source column. Can somebody please clear one thing for me. Whether its DSO or the school or someone from USCIS, whoever changes the date for expiring OPT/STEM OPT should only do so if the application was picked up in the lottery. If its not picked up why would they just go ahead and change it right? Thanks guys and this forum rocks!!

@YashaKris That’s exactly my point. Is the DSO somehow getting to know whether we are picked up in the lottery or even that our employer has applied for an H1B this year for us! There is something that I don’t know about this reporting method from USCIS to DSO.

Well. DSO would know the moment your SEVIS gets updated. But it seems that the school has the right to let the students know if their SEVIS status changes. Some schools would never say their SEVIS status until they give a receipt number to them. So once you request a Cap Gap, they would update into your Portal. The source is going to be SEVIS and not DSO. Because DSO just updates the info on that website. Its the SEVIS which has approved your Cap Gap. The SEVIS person never said I can’t answer. She clearly said Only your School DSO would change the status. Just a simple logic guys. My STEM ends on May 26th. Even if I don’t get picked up in lottery, I have Cap Gap until June1st. So no matter what the status is, my work authorization should have changed to June1st by default if its the SEVIS the one which will update the SEVP portal. But it doesn’t. For one of my friends, he emailed his DSO about his SEVIS status and they replied back regarding the same via EMAIL. But my DSO would not even give a hint about that to anyone. So it completely depends on your school DSO. I am 100% confident cos I got this answer from SEVIS. If you have questions, please contact SEVIS to confirm the same.

Well Call SEVIS and enquire about the same. Call your DSO and see if they give you a Yes/No when you ask them ur SEVIS status. SEVIS answered my call in just 2 mins. There is no long wait time. Give a shot and you will this within 10 mins.

So this means -> If your DSO comes to know about your SEVIS status change (which means your application got picked in lottery), DSO updates your SEVIS account i.e. extends OPT end date to Sept. 30th. Also, SEVIS update is only done for those people who have an OPT end date before Sept. 30th. Did i get it right?

@everyone who is confused or is confidently (and incorrectly saying end date change does not mean anything) – Please read through this whole page: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/sevis-help-hub/student-records/fm-status/f-1-cap-gap-extension

@ Dumb That’s the very point I made in a comment earlier. I understand its a dumb question but people are really making me question this whole SEVP update thing. Including my own DSO. He said that the change is only related to the cap gap extension but your SEVIS has no other update than that which doesn’t make sense at all. haha

It is clearly mentioned it will extend to September 30 for “pending” cases which is different from “filed”. It moves from filed to pending only when you’re picked up in lottery. If you are still unsure, then just wait for the receipt notice which should come in a few days!

Sorry guys New unofficial rule who are using CPT for second masters, (CPT or OPT practically it can be used for once in master, or you can use in PHD, but not again in masters), denied or go back to country and come with H1B visa . so practically there again wasting h1b slots like multiple visas..

I have H1 stamped and it’s valid till Aug 2018. I got it stamped in Dec 2016. I used to work for another employer at that time. Recently I got full time job and my petition by new employer is approved. If I travel to Europe, do I need to stamp it again for re-entering US?

I am a non-stem candidate with opt end date on June 15, 2018. I am anxious like many of you and I keep checking Sevp portal every once in a while. No change in my opt end date as of now.

Currently I am totally confused on when to join a university and would really appreciate your suggestions:

Most of the schools have programs starting in May or in July. If I join the May program and say I get to know my H1 got picked after I join the program, can I continue working on cap-gap until Sep 30? Is this possible or do i need to wait for cpt and then start working once the cpt is approved?

Can someone suggest to me if it is better to join in May or in July for someone whose opt is ending in June mid? And when should I get my Sevis transferred in both the scenarios?

Also if someone already went through the 2nd masters, please let me know if there is anything that you thought would have been helpful if you knew it before applying to these universities.

I would really appreciate any and all suggestions. Thank you in advance.

I have just completed my 2nd Master’s degree in US and am currently working on CPT and waiting for the H1b pick. One advise, I would give is that if you have used your OPT during 1st Masters degree, you do not get to apply for OPT again for the same degree level; even if its a STEM program. So if you wish to continue working after your 2nd Master’s degree, you can only use CPT for work until you graduate.

“A student may be authorized 12 months of practical training, and becomes eligible for another 12 months of practical training when he or she changes to a higher educational level.” 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10).

there is no new memo. Just they might interpret PT differently. Doesn’t mean definite denial or anything. I know many who got the H1B after using day 1 CPT. It’s a case by case basis. Either way, they approve H1B and the problem is only for Change of Status.

Please do not go the day 1 CPT route . It is highly risky and it’s almost certain that the USCIS will catch you and reject your visa even if it goes through the lottery, especially in the current climate when they just need a pretext to reject your application.

If you are not in the OPT period, I believe that you are not qualified for the cap-gap.

You still have 2 months grace period for you to apply for the second master degree program after your current OPT ends. It is very easy for the transferring process after you are admitted by the new program.

If I were you, I would do:

Apply for the admission for the new program but not transferring my I-20 to the new school until a couple of days before the last date of my current opt or the first date of the new school.

Thank you all very much for your suggestions. I just hope all the last chance candidates get their H1b picked. Its such a pain to work so hard to be here and keep waiting for a lottery decision.

Everything has been so difficult, we work twice as hard to get half the chances. I remember so many employers saying that they wont be able to hire OPT students if it expires within an year. Getting a job became depressing, and finally got one. Now, the lottery decision! I just want to know the decision soon and have some peace of mind.

I don’t blame Americans for fearing that we are taking their jobs but that is not the case. In-fact immigrants are the reason why their economy is developing and we did create so many opportunities for them. Instead of cribbing about the H1b system, Mr. Govt should infact focus on improving their education system. You expect your country people to pay 60k per year for 4 years to finish bachelors. How do you expect to have skilled people when you cant provide affordable education.

Anyways, back to updates! I checked my history tab today and realized I was checking Sevp portal every 9 minutes. Inner Peace in the drain!!

if you have valid H1B, you can’t apply for it again until you used 6 years limit. And you say you are genuine. first learn the basics and ask the questions. I wonder how you managed 4 years of it. you are not deserved.

If you have lottery people will buy multiple tickets. Don’t be bitter if you but smart and try from loser employer that cheat you. I heard most US employer don’t even apply h1b. They cheat student without filing h1b and send them home. Why you think there are so many Master graduate that go home after 100 attempt ? US employer are biggest cheater. They won’t apply H1

You’re either pretending or you really are applying for multiple H-1Bs (it’s most probably the latter). I hate it break it down to you but what you’re doing is illegal. You don’t just apply for H-1s because yours is expiring in 2 years. Just because you know 15 people who are doing it doesn’t mean its correct/legal. Once you have a H-1B, you apply for a GC or you lose your visa status after 6 years. There’s no other legal way.

What you did was just jeopardize a chance for someone and maybe destroyed their dreams. Good luck on your illegal endeavor.

USCIS first completes data entry for 15000 AD applicantnts and get into the Non AD pool.. NonAD includes the AD applications too those are not part of the initial 15000. Data entry happens until 1st week of May. Don’t lose hope if you don’t see updates.. Hopefully we’ll get thru.

Good to know it looks like the SEVP portal change is happening only to those eligible for CAP GAP.(OPT ending before 09/30). If someone whose OPT expiry date is beyond 09/30 and got SEVP portal updated please correct me.